5 Yoga poses to fight cold and flu

by Shubha Naidubenefits of yoga
Women practicing Bandh Konasana, a yoga pose
You must have noticed the drop in temperature lately. The change of season, from summer to autumn and heading to winter, brings down the temperature which exposes our bodies to common viral infections of cold and flu. To prepare the body to fight these infections, it is imperative to build a good immune system and also, we have to take some additional measures to prevent the body from the effect of weather. As viruses carrying flu and cold are easily transmitted from one body to another, catching cold is very common. Here are a few poses that help to both prevent and cure the infections of flu and cold.

5 Yoga poses to fight cold and flu

It is suggested to practice the poses in similar order as mentioned below.
Each pose adds a different benefit to the body, therefore practicing all the poses will be most advantageous. But you may choose to practice the poses from this list, depending on the symptoms of the infection on you and your physical limitations.
 
Duration of practice: EACH pose can be practiced for 10 to 15 breaths, depending on your comfortability.

  1. Standing Forward Bend (Hastapadasana)

Benefits:
  • If the body is clumsy or restless due to the infection, this pose helps to relax the body and energize the nervous system.
  • This pose improves the blood circulation to the head, which is a method of boosting immunity.
  • Clears the blockages and swelling of sinuses.

Uttanasana or Standing forward bend, a yoga pose for cold and flu

Photo credit: For Uttanasana

  1. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Shvanasana)

Benefits:
  • If you have headache due to the flu, this pose will help in calming the mind.
  • It increases blood flow to the head, which will help in curing ear block, nose blocks, cold feet and palms.
  • It strengthens the chest muscles and increases the lung capacity, which helps in fighting chest and nose congestions.
Adho mukha svanasana or Downward Facing pose, a yoga pose for cold and flu

  1. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

Benefits:
  • This pose opens the chest and neck.
  • It clears the throat and helps in better breathing.
Dhanurasana or Bow Pose, a yoga pose for cold and flu
Photo credit: For Dhanurasana

  1. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)

Benefits:
  • It stretches the neck and chest muscles, removing tension from the body.
  • If you are running temperature due to the flu, this pose will help in stretching the thyroid glands that shall regulate the body temperatures.
  • Helps in comfortable breathing through the nose.
Matsyasana or Fish Pose, a yoga pose for cold and flu
Photo credit: For Matsyasana

  1. Bridge Pose (Setubandhasana)

Benefits:
  • Removes body pain by stretching the chest, neck, abdomen and spine.
  • Reduces body discomfort by calming the mind.
  • Increases lung capacity for better breathing.
  • Cures sinus infection.
Sethubandasana or Bridge Pose, a yoga pose for cold and flu
Photo credit: For Setubandhasana
After practicing these asanas, end the practice with 10 minutes of Shavasana (Corpse pose) for complete body and mind relaxation.